Freedom of Speech for Christians in London (2)

David Kurten: In answer to my live question to you on 21 March, you were not able to give a definitive answer about whether Christian street preachers were allowed to read from any part of the Bible on the streets of London without fear of arrest. I subsequently wrote a letter to you asking the same question, but have so far received no reply. When are you going to respond to my letter and give a definitive answer, so that Christian street preachers know where they stand in relation to the enforcement activities of the Metropolitan Police under your control?

The Mayor: I have sent you a letter on 7 March in response to your oral Mayor’s Question regarding Christian street preachers. In response to your question, Christian street preachers, like other preachers have the right to freedom of speech. However, the police will intervene if they encounter threatening and abusive language or behaviour and if an offence is flagged as motivated by prejudice. London remains open for all to express their views and all religious preachers are free to exercise their fundamental right to freedom of speech.

Advanced Stop Lines (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: What steps have you and TfL taken recently to push the Government to allow highway authorities in London to enforce Advanced Stop Lines?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has responded to the recent call for evidence from the Transport Select Committee, which is undertaking a review into the Government’s approach to road safety. TfL’s response includes a call for a full review of all road traffic law.
TfL has also responded to the Government’s initial call for evidence for the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy with a specific request for the government to create a new offence of stopping within an advanced stop line (ASL), which could be enforced by TfL and other highway authorities. Unfortunately, the Government’s response dismisses this call, saying “existing cameras used for speeding and jumping red lights do not provide the capability to distinguish whether drivers have actually committed an offence through moving into the advanced stop line area”.
TfL’s response called specifically for the use of CCTV to enforce this offence, not safety cameras of the type used for speeding or red light offences. This proposal is not addressed, despite the fact that TfL has previously provided evidence of its ability to undertake this type of enforcement.
I will continue to push the government to create a new offence which would allow TfL and other highway authorities to enforce via CCTV, reduce incidences and improve safety for all road users.

Taxis in Central London

David Kurten: What is the Taxi Fleet composition in Central London by engine type (Euro 6, Euro 5, etc)?

The Mayor: While Transport for London does not monitor emissions standards of taxis seen within the Congestion Charging and ULEZ zone, the emissions standards of all licensed taxis is shown in the table below. It should be noted, however, that this is the entire licensed taxi fleet, not just those used in central London.
Emissions standard
Number of licensed taxis
Euro 2
31
Euro 3
4,342
Euro 4
6,756
Euro 5
4,571
Euro 6
4,436*
Total
20,136
* Includes 1,522 ZEC taxis (as at 30 April 2019)

Policing and Body-Worn Video Camera for Plain Clothes and Undercover Officers (2)

Unmesh Desai: What is the number of complaints made against uniformed police officers in 2018 and what was the number of complaints made against non-uniformed or undercover officers?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) received 4,737 complaints in the calendar year 2018.
The MPS does not record whether officers were deployed in plain-clothes duties or in uniform when subject to a complaint. It should also be noted that whether officers deploy in uniform or plain-clothes varies from day-to-day, even in the same role.
‘Undercover’ policing is a highly specialised role and is distinct from officers working in plain clothes. All undercover officers are based within the Covert Policing Command (MO3). In 2018, officers from MO3, received 8 complaints.
Note that information on complaints is provided in MOPAC’s Quarterly Performance report www.london.gov.uk/mopac-publications/mopac-quarter-3-performance-report and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) also regularly publishes information www.policeconduct.gov.uk/research-and-learning/statistics/complaints-statistics

Stirling Corner

Andrew Dismore: Further to your answer to Question No: 2017/2921
‘When do you expect to go to consultation on the long-promised pedestrian and cycling improvements to the junction?’
Your response being:
‘Following my response to MQ 2017/1798, further detailed traffic modelling work is now required. Public consultation will follow the completion of this work and is currently planned for early 2018.’
What is the present position in effecting long overdue pedestrian and cycle safety improvements to this junction?

The Mayor: Following the public engagement that was carried out in March 2018, Transport for London (TfL) has been working on the detailed design for a new pedestrian and cycle crossing at the A1/Barnet Way junction, in discussion with the London Borough of Barnet. The crossing is now scheduled to be built and completed this financial year.

Reducing the cost of Hammersmith Bridge repair

Caroline Russell: Will Transport for London (TfL) investigate the potential use of Hammersmith Bridge as a crossing for buses, cycling and walking only, and would this reduce the cost of repair?

The Mayor: Transport for London is working closely with Hammersmith & Fulham Council to complete ongoing complex investigation and design work on Hammersmith Bridge as quickly as possible. Only once this work is complete can the costs and benefits of different repair options be properly appraised.

Transport for London Procurement (6)

Florence Eshalomi: How does Transport for London take into account the impact of quality of employment practices on the deliverability of a contract and the achievement of the specified quality standard of a contract?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is governed by my Responsible Procurement Policy which covers the whole of the GLA group. One of the six themes of the Policy is ‘Embedding fair employment practices’. TfL requires its supply chain to pay the London Living Wage in all relevant contracts.
As a result, over 3,200 people are paid London Living Wage through TfL’s supply chain. In addition, TfL includes equality and inclusion requirements in relevant contracts, and has recently required a target of 95% of all cleaning contractors under the One FM contract to be directly employed by ABM by September 2019, ensuring many more people benefit from the security this brings. At a wider level, I will shortly be launching a Good Work Standard across the capital which will act as a guide for all employers in London.
I have been clear that I want TfL’s extensive public procurement of products and services to deliver lasting positive change. Through the GLA’s responsible procurement, we can help to make London a more equal, fair and sustainable city and so generate benefits for all London’s communities now and in the future.

Transport for London, Arriva and Noise and Light Pollution Around Chingford Station (4)

Jennette Arnold: Please explain the compensation that will be offered to my constituents as a result of the ongoing disturbance caused by and worsened by the actions of Transport for London and Arriva whom currently have no action plan to make improvements at Chingford Station.

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question2019/9134.
Transport for London (TfL) and Arriva Rail London continue to work with all parties to identify solutions to improve the noise and light pollution experienced by local residents. I am satisfied that they are doing all they can to minimise disruption to customers. However, I understand that a meeting is currently being arranged with TfL and I hope this will give you and local residents the opportunity to further discuss your concerns.

Transport for London Procurement (1)

Florence Eshalomi: What procurement contracts for bus, underground and overground train stock does Transport for London have upcoming over the next 10 years?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) recently signed a contract with Siemens for the delivery of new underground rolling stock for the Piccadilly line. This contract contains further options for the procurement of rolling stock on the Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo and City Lines. Buses are currently bought through Bus operators whose routes are tendered on a regular basis. TfL sets the specification for buses but do not generally currently directly purchase them. However, TfL has recently procured 20 new hydrogen fuelled buses which will be issued to our Bus Operators.
TfL is also in the final stages of awarding a contract to deliver 43 new trains for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). These will replace the oldest rolling stock on the network which is nearly thirty years old and provide additional trains needed to meet growing levels of demand.

Black Cab Checks

Susan Hall: Answering with an annual breakdown, how many checks have TfL undertaken on black cab drivers to make sure they were the correct driver with a correctly held licence from 2010 until now around Heathrow airport?

The Mayor: Figures for compliance checks have been recorded from 2013 and are not generally separated based on location. However, as Heathrow is a priority location for Taxi and Private Hire compliance checks, Transport for London began recording this data in April 2017. TfL has carried a total of 4,463 Taxi driver checks at Heathrow between April 2017 and March 2019. The table below shows a breakdown of this figure per financial year.
Financial year
Taxi Driver Checks
2017/18
2,910
2018/19
1,553

Hammersmith Bridge (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to your reply to Question 2018/0023 please provide a full explanation as to why the publication of the in-depth survey of the state of Hammersmith Bridge could affect the security of the bridge.

The Mayor: I refer to the answer provided to Mayor’s Question 2018/0023, in particular, that the reports contain sensitive information about load paths, structural capacity and material strengths. The release of technical details regarding the structure of the bridge could be of assistance to thoseintent on causing harm and disruption. To do so would, therefore, constitute a security risk.

Hammersmith Bridge (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to questions 2017/4906 and 2018/0791 you stated that TfL had made a provisional allocation within its Business Plan for contributing to the repair and strengthening of Hammersmith Bridge. Does such a provision still exist? If so, how much is set aside?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) continues to fund the ongoing investigation and design work on Hammersmith Bridge. It expects to spend a further £6-7m on this work, having already spent around £5m so far on this and bus enforcement measures. Until the investigation and design work is completed, it is not possible to estimate the total cost of upgrading the bridge.
The most recent Transport for London (TfL) Business Plan included £111m of funding for principal road resurfacing and bridge strengthening across all boroughs through to 2024. TfL had provisionally allocated £25m of this to Hammersmith Bridge (inclusive of the £6-7m above). However, the costs associated with repairing the bridge could be much higher than that. TfL will, therefore, work closely with the bridge’s owner, Hammersmith & Fulham Council, to identify appropriate funding once an estimated cost for the repairs is available.

Hammersmith Bridge (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Has Hammersmith and Fulham Council shared with TfL its latest in-depth survey of the state of Hammersmith Bridge?

The Mayor: Yes, Hammersmith and Fulham Council has shared the latest in-depth surveys with Transport for London. The two organisations are working closely and collaboratively, and all relevant information is being shared.

Rape crisis centres

Caroline Pidgeon: What are the current waiting times for rape victims receiving counselling services from London’s four rape crisis centres? Is any assessment of waiting times undertaken in terms of the funding arrangements for these centres?

The Mayor: In 2018 London’s four Rape Crisis Centres were recording an average waiting time of 8 months for women to access counselling, this cannot continue which is why I am increasing the investment in these essential services.
Consultation has taken place between MOPAC and the four London Rape Crisis Centres to address issues with access to services and waiting times. As a result, an additional £1.26million has been allocated from my new VAWG fund and Ministry of Justice devolved sexual violence funding across two financial years to improve access to support and reduce waiting times.
Please see https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mo...

Hammersmith Bridge (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide an update as to when Hammersmith Bridge will be fully repaired and strengthened.

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/9116.